Chapter 23 The Colony
The next day the three of them walked to the settlement after Alice's lessons. It was unnerving to see so many people. They were organizing into groups to start housing and feeding everyone. Alice was terrified and clung to her father as he carried her.
They passed a group of children and stopped to watch them play. Alice pointed and said, "They're like me." "Yes Alice," the Time Lord said, "they are children like you. Do you want to go and play with them?" She wanted to, but would not let go of her father. Rose smiled and decided they must come again when she wasn't so scared of so many new thoughts and feelings.
They walked further down the road to a large tent and asked to see captain MacAbee. He came out and greeted them. "Nice to see you today" He smiled at Alice. "And who might this be?" "Captain MacAbee, this is our daughter Alice." "A pleasure to meet you Miss Alice." Alice smiled back and said in a very clear and grown up tone. "Thank you Captain MacAbee."
He was a little startled by such grown up words coming out of a small child. The captain looked at Rose, "What can I do for you folks?" The Time Lord looked hard at the captain. "We were hoping you would introduce us to your government officials. It's time we learned our fate." Rose interceded. "A kind and familiar face beside us may help our cause." He smiled at Rose and the Time Lord bristled. He could smell the attraction in the air between them.
"Of course I'd be happy to help. You needn't worry. I spoke with several of them last night and there was no objection to your staying on with us. A few were even glad to have an extra doctor around. Right this way."
The captain led them down the makeshift street to another tent. The Time Lord, carrying Alice, walking between them. Inside were several people, men and women, gathered around a table discussing the plan of the town to be built. Several others were standing over them with rolls of paper.
The captain walked in first and got their attention. "Excuse me President Sinclair." The discussion suddenly stopped. "I would like to introduce Dr. Smith and his family. "Yes Quinn, Bring them in." The captain waved to them to come in.
"President Harold Sinclair this is Dr. John Smith, his wife Rose and their daughter Alice." "Welcome, welcome. Come inside." A well dressed man in his 60's rose to greet them extending his hand. The Time Lord put Alice down and shook his hand. "Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with us. I know you have a lot of work ahead of you." The president smiled and motioned to an empty seat. "Not at all. Please, join us."
Chairs were brought and everyone got comfortable, Alice sat on Roses lap. "Let me introduce you to the rest of my team. Tony Williams, our planning supervisor, Uton Wu our treasurer, Millie VanBuren, Public Services, and Ross Westville, public safety. The Time lord smiled and shook their hands.
When we purchased the rights to the planet they didn't mention anyone else being here, but it's not important. I know you must be concerned, but we are all agreed, and are happy to have you stay with us. What are your concern's Doctor?"
"We don't want to intrude on your plans but are naturally interested in what you intend to do with this valley. Our home is not two miles from here. How much space will you allow us? We're willing to pay for it of course." The President only smiled. "We have a whole planet to share Doctor. How much would you like?"
He looked at Rose and they exchanged a few thoughts telepathically. "We have no desire to farm so our needs will be simple." He got up to look at the map in front of them. "Our home is here, If we could have a parcel that would include the pond to the south, the river to the cliff face on the north and from the tree line here on the east, and this stone outcrop on the west." All in all, it was just over a half mile square. "What would be your price?"
The president looked to each of his staff and they all shook their head in agreement. "Very reasonable Doctor. There will be no cost to you for the land if you would agree to be of help to us as we settle in. Are you a medical doctor?" He smiled, having been asked that question many times.
"I have several degrees in different sciences. I have recently retired from teaching at university." The president was pleased, "Splendid. We would love to have your input on the design of the hospital and the school. When we are finished here we must begin to build a larger settlement on the east coast. Do you agree?"
He thought for a moment, "Just how much help do you need? I am retired, and I value my time with my family." President Sinclair was a shrewd politician. "I understand. We would be happy to accept any help you are willing to give us."
He looked again at Rose. She smiled and nodded. "We agree. When would you need me to start?" "The second wave of the colony will be here in eight months. With winter coming we must make the most of the time we have. Can you join us now Doctor? We were just about to go over the plans when you arrived." "Yes of course, I understand."
Captain MacAbee spoke up, directing his comment to her. "Perhaps I can escort Mrs. Smith and her daughter back home?" Rose was relieved not to have to wait. "Thank you Captain, that's most generous. Could you show me around camp? I'd like to meet some of the colonists and Alice saw a group of children playing." He was delighted, "Yes Mam, I'm sure they'd like to meet you as well.
Would you care to have her join the others in school as well." President Sinclair asked, "She would be most welcome." The Time Lord was angry and annoyed by MacAbee's suggestion. "Thank you for your offer Mr. President, but I home school Alice myself." Rose was disturbed at his treatment of these people and tried to smooth things out.
"John, It might be good for her to go for an hour or two. She could make friends and have some fun." He cut her off short. "Rose you know that's not possible." Her eyes turned flinty and he relented. "We can discuss it later. I'll see you back home."
A sudden surge of resentment hit him. He turned his back to her to look at the plans. Quinn bristled at the way he treated Rose. "Come, Mrs. Smith. Let me show you around." She smiled at him as she took his arm. "Thank you Captain. Take my hand Alice, we're going." They left the tent and went out into the camp.
The Time Lord could feel her response to the captain, and his to her. He turned around to see them leaving the tent. Her arm in his, smiling up at the Captain, with his child walking next to them. He felt sick. It took all of his control to stop himself from going after them and giving the good captain a right cross. Someone in the room asked him a question, the feeling passed as he returned to the conversation.
Rose had forgotten how noisy and crowded people could be, but it was nice to have humans to talk to again. She would never say so to him, but his conversations always made her feel, well, a bit stupid. He often went off on some tangent talking about somethings molecular cohesion or tensile properties. It was a nice change talking about the weather without getting a lesson on the thermal properties of adjoining rock formations.
The captain took her to the pre-school where she held babies and briefly talked to the women about their experiences. Alice was soaking up everything she heard and had many questions. Rose told her to remember them and she would answer when they got home.
They saw the prefab housing being set up replacing the tents for families, passed by the clinic and then went to the school, which had just let out. All the children were playing ball in the grass or sitting in small groups. Alice was fascinated but hid behind her mother's leg.
A little girl came up to Rose and asked if Alice could come and play. Rose smiled at her daughter. "What do you think Alice? Do you want to play with the other children? I'll be right here, and you can come back to me anytime." Alice was still shy, Rose bent down to talk to the child and put her arm around Alice.
"What's your name sweetheart?" "My name's Mary. Mary Wilcox." "Hello Mary. This is Alice." Mary held out her hand to Alice. She looked up at her mother and asked If it would be alright with her mind. Rose answered out loud. "Yes Alice you can go and play." Alice slowly put out her hand to take Mary's. They walked together into the field and sat in a pile of sand to build a castle. Rose was so proud of her daughter. She had to fight back tears.
It was hard to believe she was only four months old, but almost as tall as these children of five years. "Alice is a beautiful little girl. You must be very proud." The captain was beaming at Rose. "I am, I mean, we are." They stood and watched the children.
He chuckled, "Mrs. Smith I hope you don't mind me saying so, but I don't think the good doctor likes me." Rose smiled back, "So you picked up on that did you."
"Ahh, yes Mam"
"Please don't let first impressions color your opinion. You and John are a lot alike. I'm not one to make excuses but I want you to understand. John was a soldier once, in a long and bloody war. He saw too much. He has a dislike of the military now that won't change." He nodded his head with a look in his eyes as if he understood that kind of pain.
"My guess is if you weren't in a uniform you'd be the best of friends by now. I'm also guessing that you are proud of that uniform and are likely to defend it. My hope is, in time you both will see past your differences. Take it from me, he's worth the effort. John is an extraordinary man. You won't find a kinder or more selfless person in the universe." "Sounds like you have a very special relationship." She laughed "One of a kind."
